Strömsholm Palace
Västmanlands län
Strömsholm Palace, located on an island in the Kolbäcksån river in Västmanlands län, Sweden, is a royal Baroque palace built between 1669 and 1674 on the foundations of a 16th-century fortress. Designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder for Queen Hedvig Eleonora, the palace features a central building with four corner towers and a prominent domed tower facing the park. The interiors, largely Gustavian in style, include exquisite 18th-century rooms such as the queen's bedchamber and the Chinese dining room adorned with fabric-covered walls and Chinese-style paintings by Lars Bolander. Strömsholm also houses an important collection of 17th-century Swedish paintings, including works by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl. Historically, the site has been significant for Sweden's equestrian tradition since King Gustav Vasa established a cavalry horse-raising center here in the 1550s. Later, it became home to the Swedish Army Riding and Horse-Driving School from 1868 to 1968. Today, Strömsholm remains an active hippodrome hosting equestrian competitions annually. The palace chapel, designed by Carl Hårleman in the 1730s, crowns the attic with its elegant design. The palace underwent extensive restorations in the late 20th century, including faithful reproductions of original 1760s wallpaper discovered on-site. Surrounded by a historic park and estate buildings dating from the palace's construction, Strömsholm Palace remains a cherished cultural and historical landmark in Sweden.
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Astuce: Visitors should consider joining guided tours to fully appreciate Strömsholm Palace’s rich history and interiors, as the palace is open mainly during guided visits. The best time to visit is during the warmer months when the palace gardens and annual equestrian events are in full swing. Booking tours in advance is recommended, especially for larger groups. Families can enjoy interactive activities such as a picture hunt designed for children. Discounts may be available for seniors, students, and groups. Photography is allowed in some areas but check current guidelines upon arrival.
Faits intéressants
- •Strömsholm Palace was built on the site of a 16th-century fortress originally constructed by King Gustav Vasa.
- •The palace features a unique Chinese dining room with fabric-covered walls painted in Chinese style by Lars Bolander.
- •It has been a center for Swedish equestrian activities since the 1550s, including hosting the Swedish Army Riding and Horse-Driving School for a century.
- •The palace chapel in the attic was designed by the renowned Swedish architect Carl Hårleman in the 1730s.
- •Original 1760s wallpaper was rediscovered on an attic beam and reproduced during restoration, using old linen towels transformed into royal wallpaper.
- •Strömsholm Palace appears in the Civilization 5 game expansion 'Gods and Kings' as the seat of the Swedish civilization led by Gustav II Adolf.
Histoire
The original fortress at Strömsholm was built in the 1550s by King Gustav Vasa as a defensive stone castle on an island in the Kolbäcksån river.
It served as a residence for several queen dowagers, including Catherine Stenbock and Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg.
In 1669, Queen Hedvig Eleonora commissioned Nicodemus Tessin the Elder to transform the fortress into a Baroque palace, completed by 1674.
The palace saw interior enhancements in the 1730s and extensive Gustavian-style renovations in the late 18th century under Carl Fredrik Adelcrantz, coinciding with the marriage of Gustav III and Sophia Magdalena.
In the 19th century, Strömsholm became the center of the Swedish Army Riding and Horse-Driving School until 1968.
Major restorations in the 1980s and 1990s preserved the palace’s historical character and restored original furnishings and decorative elements.
Guide du lieu
The Queen's Bedchamber1760s
A prime example of Gustavian interior design, this room showcases elegant furnishings and decorations from the late 18th century, reflecting the refined tastes of Queen Sophia Magdalena.
Chinese Dining Room1760s
Decorated with fabric-covered walls featuring Chinese-style paintings by tapestry painter Lars Bolander, this room exemplifies the 18th-century European fascination with Chinoiserie.
Palace Chapel1730s
Located in the attic, the chapel was designed in the 1730s by architect Carl HĂĄrleman and features a mechanical organ built in 1740 by Daniel StrĂĄhle, with a facade redesigned by Adrian Crispin Peterson in 1868.
The Baroque Palace Architecture1669-1674
Designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, the palace’s Baroque style includes a central building flanked by four square corner towers and a large domed tower facing the park, reflecting 17th-century royal architectural trends.
Equestrian Grounds and Hippodrome1550s-present
Strömsholm has been a center for horse breeding and equestrian training since the 16th century, currently hosting annual horse competitions and housing a riding school and hippological center.
Contact
Téléphone: 0220-430 35
